Highest priority should be rescuing children from poverty, lawmaker says

The government cannot provide welfare to anyone unless other people are working
and paying taxes. It's so simple. Jobs reduce poverty. Government does
not reduce poverty. It creates poverty by taking the money that business needs
to hire people.

The only thing that government can do to reduce
poverty is to make it possible for more business to open and for those business
to hire more people. That happens when the regulations for building products in
America are NOT more crippling that the regulations for building that same
product in other countries. That happens when capital gains is NOT taxed at a
higher rate in America than in other countries. That happens when the President
does NOT go around telling students that they deserve a free education. Instead
he should be telling them to work for it. To prove WHILE A STUDENT that they
can work and that they will work.

When I was a student, I cleaned a
grocery store from 2:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. With that on my resume, my next
job was easy to get. I proved that I would work when others slept.

Government cannot solve poverty.

bglSanta Monica, CA

Oct. 18, 2012 10:02 a.m.

Sally---as you vilify the poor and pat yourself on the back for learning to read
even though you lived "on just above minimum wage," you might want to
check yourself before judging others. Your writing seems to indicate that your
neighbors spend a lot of money "screaming at their children," and that
they purchase "ants and flies," to place in the home.

RiflemanSalt Lake City, Utah

Oct. 18, 2012 7:47 a.m.

Re: no fit in SG St.George, Utah

I share Mitt Romney's disdain
for those looking for a free ride from the American taxpayer. There are those
who think the taxpayers owe them a living, and there are those who are under the
mistaken impression that the Federal Government can give money without first
taking it from the taxpayer.

One thing is for sure and that is that
those looking for something for nothing will be voting for Obama.

scrappy doDRAPER, UT

Oct. 18, 2012 7:43 a.m.

The government will provide the safety net no matter who the president is ...
The plain truth here is that people who barely qualify as adults (in every
meaning of the word) bear children and it is their responsibility to raise said
children. If they cannot handle this responsibility they should refrain from
having children. It is all about personal responsibility which is not a trait
or characteristic that every person possesses in equal amounts. So don't
blame the teachers or school funding or the welfare system or anyone else.
Federal, state, local government and individual school systems along with all
the charities and organizations focused on children will do everything possible
to alleviate the troubles these children can encounter and miracles will happen
but don't expect them

sallyKearns, UT

Oct. 17, 2012 8:12 p.m.

I think workforce services is doing a study on generational poverty. What I
have observed regarding poverty is the lack of education in basic living skills.
Things like budgeting, cooking skills, mending, how to use a basic set of tools
for car and home repairs are needed. Growing up our family lived on just above
minimum wage, yet my parents encouraged us to learn and read. This is not
happening in many low income homes. Our neighbors spent their money on hair
dye, nails, eating out, screaming at their children, having boyfriends move into
their apartments/homes, ants and flies everywhere. It was so gross! Our family
did not live like that. My parents did not use the free school lunch program.
My mother packed a lunch everyday for six children and my father. We ate alot of
oxtail soup and hamburger patties. Four of the six of us earned the opportunity
to attend college. Parents need to be trained and willing in how to rescue
their children. Without that it is a no win. Without the skills, the resources
will just be trashed by their living style.

PCParentPark City, UT

Oct. 17, 2012 8:02 p.m.

Sorry "no fit in SG" but you are missing the point. Poverty comes from
families that are unable to earn a livable wage. Has nothing to do with Mitt
Romney. Has to do with employment! Not with how much government can take from
one person and give to another.You can select who you will, as for me and
everyone who would like to help the poor...It is time for your friend to
go home to Chicago.

TruthseekerSLO, CA

Oct. 17, 2012 6:08 p.m.

I applaud Senator Reid's attention to this critical issue. I believe our
educational system does a decent job educating middle and upper middle class
students but that the system is failing for those at the bottom of our
socioeconomic ladder. Over many decades we have significantly reduced poverty
for our elderly but not enough for children. It is more prudent to invest
time and attention to helping children in poverty than deal with the
consequences later.

I will be interested to see if there are
changes or programs that can meet the needs of children living in poverty.

no fit in SGSt.George, Utah

Oct. 17, 2012 5:58 p.m.

Recently traveled across our country by bus.....Observed and learned. My
eyes were opened even more than before.Poverty in America is abundant and
utterly heartbreaking. Mitt Romney take note:Sorry, Mitt, your idea
of handing the care of the poor off to the churches is not a sufficient or
realistic solution. The "safety net" you spoke of is not anywhere to be
seen.Your statement of your disdain of 47% of our citizens further showed
the country how you really feel about the less fortunate of America.